Sunshine Coast to Lake Eyre - August 2011
Submitted: Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 11:49
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Member - DeepThought65
G'day all,
We are planning a trip across from the Queensland coast to Lake Eyre and having not done such remote travel in the past I'm looking for a heads up on some things to look out for, both mechanical, camping and scenic related.
We are heading via
Cunnamulla, Thargominda,
Eulo then on to
Innamincka. next down the Strezlecky Track to
Lyndhurst then up to Maree and the lake. Return via
Birdsville track.
We are travelling in a 79Series Landcruiser 1HD-FTE with air-water intercooler and 3" exhaust and Steinbauer chip, new Fulcrum
suspension with RAW4X4 shocks and steering damper. Service just prior to the trip and also new Mickey Thompson 4 rib ATZ tyres including the spare. I'm carrying the obvious spares, fuel and air filters, belts and hoses and a tyre repair kit. So I'm trusting that mechanically all will be
well.
We have also a copy of the Hema maps and are GPS capable. (Thanks ExplorOz )
My problem lies with fuel, water and how much of each and route accessibility. I note that the longest part between fuel stops is about 500km. I carry 180litres in the 2 standard tanks which is good for about 1200km on the highway. Do I need more. Also a 125litre under tray
water tank with another 2 x 25litre water containers inside the canopy.
Finally I know about calling the local
police centres for track info (Hema have a handy list of all the relevant
police stations on their maps. Nice ) But I'm wondering if anyone has been along those tracks in the last month and what are the conditions like. Particularly the route across the
Cooper Creek which was flooded earlier this year.
Many thanks to all for the imminent explosion of information.
Regards,
Larry.
Reply By: Fab72 - Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 12:52
Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 12:52
G'Day Larry,
We did
Marree to
Birdsville,
Windorah,
Longreach and across to the coast in a bog stock standard Diesel Holden Captiva with a $79 Mio GPS, $20
puncture repair kit, standard highway rubber, space saver tyre and a 20 litre jerry (which we didn't end up using).
The Captiva only has a 65 litre tank, but I found the fuel economy to be slightly better than on the highway, due probably to the decreased speed (sat on about 80-90 in most
places).
I'd envy a rig like yours and to be honest without generating complacency, I think it'd be a walk in the park for you. Enjoy the scenery!
Fab.
AnswerID:
462101
Reply By: Member - John and Lynne - Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 13:04
Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 13:04
We have just returned to
Brisbane after completing the same trip to Lake Eyre with a Landcruiser 100 Series and an Off Road capable caravan. There were no problems with water or fuel. If you don't like drinking
bore water (usually quite OK we found ) there are plenty of sources of nonpotable water you can use to extend the water in your tanks for washing, cooking etc. Also bottled water is for sale everywhere if you don't mind the rip off price. Our only issue was the fact that the punt had resumed on the
Birdsville track and was limited to vehicles of 9.3 metres (at skipper's discretion) so we returned via the Flinders and
Broken Hill, then found roads through
Tibooburra closed because of rain! So watch the weather - otherwise you will have a great trip. Wright Air gave us a very good value flight over the lake from
Marree - not to be missed.
Farina, south of
Marree, is a
great camp spot. Enjoy your trip!
AnswerID:
462104
Reply By: Member - DeepThought65 - Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 13:33
Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 13:33
Thanks guys but I just remembered one other question I forgot to ask is, how much cash do we need to carry as opposed to EFTPOS or Mastercard ?
Regards
Larry.
AnswerID:
462107
Follow Up By: Member - John and Lynne - Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 16:38
Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 16:38
We had no problems with cards (visa, mastercard, eftpos) on the trip for fuel shops etc. The only issue is that sometimes the communication system fails eg when we were in
Thargomindah the lines/systems were down for 24 hours! We carried about $400 cash for such events. This was ample.
FollowupID:
735836
Reply By: Member - Mike R2 - Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 16:54
Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 16:54
Gooday Larry, Wife and I hope to head off about the 20 August, from Northern New South Wales accross to Camerons Corner then down the Strezlecky then follow your route. Hope to do the flight out of Maree with Wright Air. We will be travelling in a 79 series Landcruiser with camper on tray. Have travelled this area previously, except the
Birdsville Track, and have never had trouble with fuel or water, you sound
well prepared so should be OK. Might see you on the track.
Regards
Mike R.
AnswerID:
462118
Reply By: rumpig - Monday, Aug 08, 2011 at 22:35
Reply By: Member - DeepThought65 - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 08:54
Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 08:54
Thanks fellas, all useful information to us. Now I've just got to get my backside into gear and get the ute and canopy finished. It will be nice to get a full nights sleep again.
Larry.
AnswerID:
462312